Friday, May 27, 2011

So, when I was getting ready for a night out this week, I came to the realization of how much I *love* contouring. As a round-faced gal, this little technique gives me cheekbones that I never thought were possible! Anyway, here is my FOTN...

Saturday, May 21, 2011

As part of Aussies Lusciously Lighter Style challenge, I am off to the hairdressers on Monday to have a style overhaul! To prepare me for this, the lovely Aussie people have sent me a few wigs to help me 'break out of my comfort zone' and try something different!

Here are a few ideas...

Dolly Parton/ Sandy from 'Grease'

??? I look like my auntie here!

The 'Pob'!

So there you have it! Three completely different looks, but I am only having one makeover!

What do you all think?

Brunette? Stay blonde? Something else?

Long? Short? Somewhere in between?

I reaaaally need your help as my appointment is on Monday and I don't know what I want to do with my hair!

This is me with my real hair, if you forgot what I look like! 'Hello Roots!'

I have added a poll to the top right-hand side, so vote!!

All opinions are welcome, I would love to know what you guys think will Lighten Up My Style!

Friday, May 20, 2011

You might not consider this to be a lipstick, but since the word "lipstick" is included in the product name, it is worthy of a Lipstick Lover review! :o)

Colour/Scent? You will know my opinion on the colour of this if you check out the post in which this was hauled, you will see the ridiculous swatch of this on the ELF website. I didn't think I was getting a red lip colour in the slightest! ELF says that the scent is 'Vanilla Mint', I suppose that could be correct. The scent is just pleasant but not of anything in particular.

Consistency? That of a lipgloss, no more, no less.

Longevity? Again, that of a lipgloss!

Pigmentation? As you can see in the above photo, which is of around three layers of this I still couldn't get it to even slight opacity. I took about four photos of this and this was the best of the lot.

Packaging? Cute! Just like the ELF glosses, or the Stila twist-up ones, but with a type of 'pad' applicator which you twist up for the product to appear.

Price? This has to be the best thing about this! These retail at £1.50 or €1.70, an absolute bargain.

Other shades available? 11 altogether! (before ordering online though, I would recommend that you research swatches on other blogs before ordering!! Do not trust the website swatches!)

The verdict... Maybe I was incorrect in considering this to be a lip stick, in liquid form, although as far as I am concerned this is what the name and website description suggests. Although in saying that I do have more pigmented glosses. I would never give this a bad review due to the price, nice packaging etc, but I think I am just left bitter about this because of the terrible online swatch and the average pigmentation.

Have you tried these? I would really love to know what you think!

H xoxo

PS. Just realized I have posted two Lipstick Lover reviews in a row, I hope this is OK! :o)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

There has been so much hype surrounding the new Dior Addict lipsticks, and the gorgeous Kate Moss advertisements. Most reviews that I have seen of this have been the 'Kate Moss shade', which I may have chosen myself. My mum bought this for me on her recent holiday to Grand Canaria (hauled here) and I am so glad as I absolutely love it! :o)

Colour/Scent? This shade is the most subtle of the collection a soft rose pink with silver shimmer. I cannot detect any scent whatsoever!

Consistency? Sheer, almost comparable to that of a highly pigmented balm. According to Dior, they have a new 'mirror jelly' formula, designed to 'bring shine, volume and hydration to the lips'

Longevity? Due to the light feel of these, you would think it wouldn't last long at all, however they definitely last 1hr+.

Pigmentation? Not huge, however in one swipe (see above swatch) you can see the shimmer. In the lips shot below, I have layered this lipstick twice, maybe three times.

Packaging? Stunning! This is without a doubt the most luxe looking lippie I own/have ever seen! The casing looks clear to begin with, but in daylight as above it has this gorgeous rainbow effect.

The Verdict... I love it! To be honest, I am not going to reach this for a colour pop. However I think this is the closest to a 'nude' that I will be comfortable wearing so it is ideal for when I decide to wear striking eye make up. It may be the photo, however I think this looks totally comparable to MAC Angel, what do you think? I would love to say that I will be buying more of the gorgeous shades available, but they are too pricey to collect them all!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

So, I hinted on twitter that if i hit 300 followers before my 200 followers giveaway finished, there would be a third prize. Lo and behold, my GFC is currently standing at 301 and to thank you all I am adding a third prize!

Keeping with the theme of OPI, Prize number 3 will be something along the lines of one of these....

A mini set of OPI polishes!

Obviously not all of these choices will be available when I go to buy them for you, but this is a general idea for you all :o)

Don't worry, you need not enter again, if you have already entered your details on the giveaway post you are automatically in the running to win this!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

When my lovely blogger pal Hayley nominated me on Twitter for the Witch Friday Flawless Follower, and won I got to pick a little prize from their website. I picked the Blemish pen (currently under review), so a big THANK YOU to Witch for the lovely treat. However it was the name on the envelope that actually made my day... :o)

My parents went on holiday to Gran Canaria and arrived home last week with two lovely presents for me.

The first is this gorgeous mirrored mirror (eh?) with Hello Kitty engraved on, and my name! It came in a lovely black velvet pouch too, so it is ideal to bring everywhere with me.

Also, I was super giddy to try out the new Dior lipstick that my Mum picked out for me, she has good taste!

It is in the shade Basic, a gorgeous pastel pink. The packaging is so luxe, I love it! Expect a review coming your way soon.

Also, I was super kindly invited to a Xen-Tan event yesterday in Dublin! I met some lovely girls, Karen, Dee and Sinead and I was lucky enough to be given a sample to try out. Expect a thorough review on this very soon :o) Big thanks to Xen Tan for holding this event!

So, after my lovely weekend off I am unfortunately back to my desk for more studying today. Oh well, summer is just around the corner and I cannot wait!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

So I picked up a couple of new OPI polishes to add to my collection :o)

This is 'La Paz-itively Hot', a HOT pink fuchsia. Honestly I took quite a few pics of this, but I just couldn't capture the blue/violet shimmer through it. In all, I am pretty sure this is my favourite polish EVER (please do not quote me on this, it is 100% subject to change :o) ). It is a perfect barbie pink and rest assured it will be featuring on my fingernails A LOT this summer!

The second is a red polish and I had to get one by OPI for my collection. I don't particularly love red nails but I think it is perfect on toenails as it complements pretty much any neutral sandal. So, here is OPI's 'The Thrill of Brazil' as modeled with my lovely New Look sandals (flats, for when my favourite wedges in the whole wide world need a break).

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Since I have been shopping like a crazy lady since I got paid on Friday I had far too many new items to show you all in a blog post as it would be so picture heavy and take forever for you guys to read!

I took this opportunity to jump into YouTube, honestly I thought this day would never come. :o) So here you have it, my very first YouTube video... enjoy!

If you like what you see, don't forget to 'like' it and of course subscribe! I am hoping to keep making videos as well as my blog, so all constructive criticism and video requests are more than welcome in the comments below.

Monday, May 2, 2011

As you can probably tell, I love OPI nail polishes. I love the formulation, pigmentation...everything! I fully believe the every girl should have at least one or add to their collection!

The Prize

1st Prize: Two OPI nail polishes of your choice

2nd Prize: One OPI nail polish of your choice

(NOTE: There are zillions of OPI polishes and obviously not all of them will be available for me to buy for your prize. However I will do my very best to accommodate your choice!)

How to enter:

To qualify for entry you must be a public follower of my blog via GFC

Then, you need to write a comment below with your GFC follower name and an email address or twitter name I can contact you with to let you know if you have won...
AND let me know what your favourite nail polish of all time is! :o)

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Basically though, once per month I will go to MAC and pick up a few well thought out items then blog about them and ask you all for advice for next months purchases.

Here is what I bought this month...

So, I decided to try MAC eyeshadows for the first time. I have been in my lipstick/gloss/blush comfort zone for too long and I needed to start experimenting more! I decided to get them in pan form and purchase a palette as I am back and forth between home and uni so much, I think the portability will be great.

Here are the pretties... I wanted a bronze lid colour and a nice brown crease to start me off.

Then I picked up a lipstick, I had my eye on this shade for quite a while.

It is the perfect hybrid of Pinky red and coral (honest, I can see it!)

What do you think of this month's purchases?

Expect a FOTD using these soon :o)

NEXT MONTH: I want to buy...

Three eyeshadows that will make a black/grey smokey eye (black, silver/grey, highlight)